Side-by-side comparison

Cambridge vs Philadelphia

Cost of living comparison for Cambridge, Massachusetts and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Bottom line

Cambridge is approximately 30% more expensive than Philadelphia. A single person needs about $4,391/mo in Cambridge versus $3,382/mo in Philadelphia.

Rent in Cambridge vs Philadelphia

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Cambridge · Studio

$1,669

Philadelphia · Studio

$1,372

Cambridge is $297 (22%) higher than Philadelphia

Cambridge · 1 bedroom

$1,745

Philadelphia · 1 bedroom

$1,512

Cambridge is $233 (15%) higher than Philadelphia

Cambridge · 2 bedroom

$2,269

Philadelphia · 2 bedroom

$1,802

Cambridge is $467 (26%) higher than Philadelphia

Cambridge · 3 bedroom

$2,504

Philadelphia · 3 bedroom

$2,171

Cambridge is $333 (15%) higher than Philadelphia

Income & earnings in Cambridge vs Philadelphia

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Cambridge · Household income

$126,779

Philadelphia · Household income

$60,698

Cambridge is $66,081 (109%) higher than Philadelphia

Cambridge · Individual earnings

$66,124

Philadelphia · Individual earnings

$42,478

Cambridge is $23,646 (56%) higher than Philadelphia

Cambridge · Per capita

$67,471

Philadelphia · Per capita

$37,669

Cambridge is $29,802 (79%) higher than Philadelphia

Home values in Cambridge vs Philadelphia

Average values and property tax.

Cambridge · Average home value

$687,200

Philadelphia · Average home value

$232,400

Cambridge is $454,800 (196%) higher than Philadelphia

Cambridge · Annual property tax

$7,240

Philadelphia · Annual property tax

$1,952

Cambridge is $5,288 (271%) higher than Philadelphia

Energy in Cambridge vs Philadelphia

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Cambridge · Monthly electricity

$172

Philadelphia · Monthly electricity

$143

Cambridge is $29 (20%) higher than Philadelphia

Cambridge · Monthly gas

$74

Philadelphia · Monthly gas

$62

Cambridge is $12 (19%) higher than Philadelphia

Cambridge · Annual total

$2,952

Philadelphia · Annual total

$2,460

Cambridge is $492 (20%) higher than Philadelphia

Healthcare in Cambridge vs Philadelphia

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Cambridge · Individual premium

$480

Philadelphia · Individual premium

$480

Cambridge and Philadelphia are about the same

Cambridge · Family premium

$1,350

Philadelphia · Family premium

$1,350

Cambridge and Philadelphia are about the same

Cambridge · Uninsured rate

2.4%

Philadelphia · Uninsured rate

7.2%

Philadelphia is 4.8% (200%) higher than Cambridge

Taxes in Cambridge vs Philadelphia

State income and sales tax.

Cambridge · State income tax

5.0%

Philadelphia · State income tax

3.1%

Cambridge is 1.9% (63%) higher than Philadelphia

Cambridge · State sales tax

6.3%

Philadelphia · State sales tax

6.0%

Cambridge is 0.3% (4%) higher than Philadelphia

Cambridge · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Philadelphia · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Philadelphia is 0.1% (1%) higher than Cambridge

Transportation in Cambridge vs Philadelphia

Commute time and travel modes.

Cambridge · Average commute

30.0 min

Philadelphia · Average commute

32.0 min

Philadelphia is 2.0 min (7%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · Drive alone

56.0%

Philadelphia · Drive alone

46.7%

Cambridge is 9.3% (20%) higher than Philadelphia

Cambridge · Public transit

8.0%

Philadelphia · Public transit

17.9%

Philadelphia is 9.9% (124%) higher than Cambridge

Monthly cost estimates in Cambridge vs Philadelphia

All categories combined.

Cambridge · Single person

$4,391

Philadelphia · Single person

$3,382

Cambridge is $1,009 (30%) higher than Philadelphia

Cambridge · Couple

$6,782

Philadelphia · Couple

$4,560

Cambridge is $2,222 (49%) higher than Philadelphia

Cambridge · Family

$9,217

Philadelphia · Family

$7,059

Cambridge is $2,158 (31%) higher than Philadelphia

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Cambridge and Philadelphia.

Is Cambridge or Philadelphia more expensive?

Cambridge is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,391/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts and $3,382/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a difference of about 30%.

What is the rent difference between Cambridge and Philadelphia?

Average one-bedroom rent in Cambridge, Massachusetts is $1,745/mo versus $1,512/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Cambridge is approximately $233 (15%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Cambridge or Philadelphia?

Cambridge has the higher average household income. Cambridge households earn approximately $126,779 per year; Philadelphia households earn approximately $60,698 per year.

More on Cambridge and Philadelphia

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

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About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.